Elon Musk didn’t hold back in a recent interview, delivering a scathing critique of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and his past ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Musk, who has long clashed with Gates over a range of issues—from climate funding to artificial intelligence—escalated the feud with a brutal takedown.
“I wouldn’t trust that guy to babysit my kids,” Musk said, pointing directly to Gates’ meetings with Epstein after the financier’s first conviction. “You hang out with a known pedophile multiple times—what does that say about your judgment?”
Musk has previously mocked Gates for shorting Tesla stock while claiming to support green energy initiatives. But this time, he focused on what he sees as deeper character flaws. “He was going to Epstein’s house after Epstein had already been convicted,” Musk noted. “That’s not ignorance—that’s a choice.”
Gates has acknowledged meeting with Epstein on multiple occasions, though he’s denied any wrongdoing and claimed it was a mistake driven by philanthropic ambitions. Musk isn’t buying it. “He’s not some innocent do-gooder who got fooled,” he said. “That excuse doesn’t fly anymore.”
The billionaire rivalry between Musk and Gates has grown increasingly personal in recent years. What began as public disagreements over electric vehicles and climate strategy has now veered into moral character. Musk, who frequently uses his platform to speak bluntly on cultural and political topics, has shown no interest in dialing it back.
With this latest volley, Musk is making it clear: he sees Gates not just as a rival, but as someone whose judgment and values should be questioned—loudly and often. And true to form, he’s doing it without filters or apologies.